Within the last two weeks of October 2013, a number of reports and various discussions had been raised in the Malaysian press, in particular the alternative media sites and the various social media sites on issues related to the practices and spirit of Islam. The issues concern the use of the word ‘ALLAH’ by non-Muslims, the submission of a report by the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs (COMANGO) in the UPR Process to the Office of the UN High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the carrying out of the Qurban (ritual slaughter) during Eidul Adha in school compounds.
Comment:
The issue concerning the use of the word ALLAH by non-Muslims, specifically the Christians have been debated for years in Malaysian. Recently, the Court of Appeal has ruled that the word ALLAH is banned from being used by a Catholic weekly newspaper, Herald. Discussions ensued after the ruling with criticism and praises being hurled all over the place. Not long after the ruling, another issue surfaced. Criticisms were hurled at COMANGO by the coalition of Muslim NGOs who maintained that the report threatens and undermines Islam, has the intention of spreading freedom and liberalism and opens the door for western influence which would threaten Malaysian sovereignty. About the same time, due to a phone call made by a Hindu man to the headmaster of a school that carried out the ritual of Qurban in the school premise, which went viral in various social media platforms, several statements on this issue were made by numerous parties. In all three issues, although claims had been made that neither attack nor disrespect on Islam is intended, what is clear is that the spirit (Ruh) of Islam have indeed been questioned and Islam has been put under scrutiny by the Kuffar and those whose hearts and minds are full of disease. Under the current circumstances, where the life of Islam is absent, Muslims are placed in a precarious position. Many, unfortunately, have compromised, allowing this great Deen to be undermined rather than standing firm, facing the adversaries bravely!
In reality, these issues are the consequences of a singular problem – the absence of Islam in our lives as Muslims. Islam in Malaysia and in all Muslim countries is only viewed as merely confined to religious rituals. The secularization of Islam forms the basis for the way life is viewed in today’s world. In the case of the use of the word ALLAH, even though this is just a small issue, the subsequent discussion manifest voices of disrespect being openly hurled at Islam, not just by the Kuffar but also by several Muslims. Any attempt to glorify or express Islam as an ideology, even in the form of a ritual, such as the act of Qurban, will also be attacked, and again, a number of Muslims supported these attacks! Efforts are also spent at suppressing the Shariah even before it has the chance to be implemented as in the case of the report by COMANGO. Sincere Muslims who recognize that these are efforts of the Kuffar to destroy and undermine Islam are put is a highly precarious position. Trapped within the secular system, any effort to exert the truth of Islam and come to the defense of Islam only make these Muslims end up in despair. Today, in a world where non-Islamic ideas and systems dominate our lives, secularism seems to always manage to make its way above the efforts of these sincere Muslims. The 1 Malaysia concept promoted by Najib only made things worse. The Kuffar and those whose hearts and minds are full of disease see in this concept an opportunity to demand equality and the right to criticize, even in sensitive religious matters. Islam, it seems, is attacked left, right and center. Within the domain of secularism, it is a losing game. But if Islam dominates, if the Khilafah is established, the defender of Islam will always prevail. Sincere Muslims! Answer the call to establish Islam! Establish the Khilafah who shall protect you and protect Islam! And you shall never despair ever again.
Written for The Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Dr. Muhammad Malaysia